How to EQ & Compress a LIVE vocal | Digico SD12 #mixing

In this video you will learn how to process live vocals. Not only will you learn how to EQ a vocal, but also how to compress a vocal! Specifically how I process a live vocal where the recording environment isn't ideal, like a live stage or recording from a bedroom. For this example I was using a Digico SD12, however these concepts can be transferred to any DAW or audio console. For years of my career I used a very cheap X32 and got fantastic results using this very method.

DAW: ProTools, Logic, Studio One, Ableton
Consoles: Behringer X32/M32, Allen & Heath SQ5, Yamaha CL5/Rivage, AVID S6L, SSL, Digico

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00:00 Intro
00:21 Unprocessed Vocal
00:36 EQ
02:31 Compression

[VictorEMusique]

that is the best explanation of compression I've ever heard - thanks!

[mikeparting]

Some really bad techniques here mate. May work for a live stream but certainly will encounter many issues in the live realm, boosting and sweeping vocal channels is a no no. Massive mid cuts in vocal channels like that WILL make it sound nasally, so then you end up cutting more around that frequency to try and balance it out. Let the microphone do the work, HPF and shallower cuts. Keep EQ smooth and broad on vocals.
Vocal Compressor settings are proportional to the singers dynamic range, just whacking them into -6dB compression ay 4:1 isnt the way to do it. You need to listen to the vocal and where and if the compression is needed.

[terrydiachun]

finally, clear understanding how to mix live vocals in order of operations. Thank you.

[mark.]

Not following the "boost wide, cut narrow" principle, I see. Which is fine, more than one way to handle EQ. Just hear boost wide, cut narrow a lot. All of the cut on the EQ is essentially turning the gain down, of course. But, again, more than one way to get to the final result. Always good to see how other people handle different situations and what processing they use. What matters is it sounded great in the end! Thanks for sharing.

[rickparma]

Great video bro this is really nice not just the technique, the final product was phenomenal.

[coryb_]

Would love to see how you place all instruments and vocals in the mix to keep it from being muddy.

[BasseyEbong]

The Way you teach is so 'Godly' AMAZING !!! Thanks brother. God bless you

[elaiharamos]

AWESOME VIDEO! This will be so useful! Thank you!

[oswaldjazz]

Gracias por tu trabajo, he conseguido el sonido deseado. Lo que me pregunto es ¿por qué agregas tanta MakeUp Gain? y lo otro es ¿ecualizas el sonido en general o solo los micrófonos?

[danielacuna]

Thanks so much. Im curious on how you do pitch correction and reverb and delay. Im new to all this. Thanx!

[jestinmkcvlogs]

Really its vry useful.plz make more videos😍

[deadlymarsupial]

Once compression is done, you should have headroom to increase gain if you need to give vocals more presence, to bring the vocals to the front of the band.

[israelolumide]

Thanks so much. I would like you do some videos on voice EQ and gating, Bass EQ using x32 mixer.

[Gladingson]

Wow....always very brief but very intuitive, thanks Sir

[elvinedmeade]

do you turn on the make up gain once you've compressed?

[JonathanThrift]

You shouldn't just boost to find annoying frequencies because most frequencies can sound annoying if you boost them enough. You should boost to hone in on the frequency if you do hear something annoying first.

[Skryer_old]

Hi Andrew, what are your thoughts about using a De-esser ?

[timidavid]

Please what's the name of this church?? I'd really love to listen the whole song! It sounds amazing

[paulos]

what about the makeup gain of the compressor? if you compress 6db don't you have to add 4-6 db of makeup gain to the compressor to compensate the volume drop?

[woodrowtremckenzieiii]

Can you do a video on eq live vocals on x32?